[Goose]

A big unknown is what happens the day Putin doesn't wake up?  Should that happen is there another hardliner capable of taking over and continuing Putin's policy?  What would the army do?  They generally stay out of politics, but I don't think you could be certain of it.  Plus, who knows what a country like Poland might do if the war starts to really turn against Ukraine.  I don't think Poland wants anything to do with a Russia on its border. Would someone like Wagner have the clout to replace Putin?

All very good questions. FWIW, Poland is going to get Russia on it's borders no matter what happens in Ukraine. When Lukashenko dies, if not before, Russia fully intends to complete the "re-assimilation" of Belarus. How that is going to happen, peaceful or otherwise, is TBD.

[Goose]

A big unknown is what happens the day Putin doesn't wake up?  Should that happen is there another hardliner capable of taking over and continuing Putin's policy?  What would the army do?  They generally stay out of politics, but I don't think you could be certain of it.  Plus, who knows what a country like Poland might do if the war starts to really turn against Ukraine.  I don't think Poland wants anything to do with a Russia on its border. Would someone like Wagner have the clout to replace Putin?

All very good questions. FWIW, Poland is going to get Russia on it's borders no matter what happens in Ukraine. When Lukashenko dies, if not before, Russia fully intends to complete the "re-assimilation" of Belarus. How that is going to happen, peaceful or otherwise, is TBD.